Time Schedule:
Andrea I. Woody
DANCE 420
Seattle Campus
Philosophical investigation of the expressive elements of dance. Reading and discussion of the concepts of beauty, style, and aesthetic theory.
Class description
Philosophical frameworks will support our consideration of a number of issues central to performing arts in general, and dance in particular, such as: What makes an action an artistic performance? How should we identify two performances of the same art work, for example Shakespeare’s Hamlet or Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring? What would make a dance representational or non-representational? Do dance and other performance arts have a more constitutive connection to the body than do other art forms? What does it matter that a performance is “live”? Is something lost when we sit home with a cd or dvd? Examples from contemporary dance, performance art, music, and theater will be used throughout the course.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Some experience in the performing arts or prior training in philosophy is highly advised.
Class assignments and grading
